VehicleVerdict

2005 Volvo V70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2005 Volvo V70 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

22

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other V70 years?

V70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted268 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 242 complaints1999: 220 complaints2000: 116 complaints2001: 268 complaints2002: 91 complaints2003: 36 complaints2004: 118 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 13 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints
V70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all V70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Volvo V70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control418%
Fuel System418%
Airbags314%
Brakes314%
Transmission314%
Engine29%
Other29%
Body & Structure15%

Does the 2005 Volvo V70 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V800000AirbagsOctober 14, 2021 · 194,546 units

Defect

Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

06V375000OtherOctober 3, 2006 · 19,700 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL WOULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL THE CORRECT LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO V70. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MODULATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 12, 2015

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO V70. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE RIGHT BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A REPAIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 16, 2007 · fire

“Volvo do not want to replace the recall airbag with the same original logo on the airbag. This logo is the “R” on the airbag. The airbag without the “R” is for a regular Volvo. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 17, 2022

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WOULD LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND PERFORM SLUGGISH. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 13, 2011

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, CAUSING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 7, 2012

2005 Volvo V70 — common questions

Is the 2005 Volvo V70 reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 V70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (4 complaints), speed control (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints).

Does the 2005 Volvo V70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Volvo V70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo V70 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the V70 years to avoid are 2001, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2000, 2002, 2003. The cleanest record among V70 years belongs to 2016.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.